39 Triwizard Tournament

September 1994

The Great Hall, Hogwarts

The feast in the great hall after the sorting ceremony was in full flow and Harry could see Ron Weasley, seating a few seats away from Harry, stuffing his mouth with as much as food he was able to.

Harry could safely say that even Dudley Dursley had better table manners than the idiot Ron.

At one point the conversation somehow moved towards the house elves between Near Headless Nick and Hermione, and the witch was horror struck in shock, learning that over 100 house elves worked in Hogwarts kitchen.

She was quick to describe this as an unpaid slave labour and refused to eat another bite of food during the feast.

Harry could see a trouble brewing and Harry thought he must explain Hermione about the nature of the house elves.

Soon the feast got over and Dumbledore stood up, "Now that we have our bellies full, we must move forward to few notices I have."

"Mr. Filch informs you all that the list of forbidden items in the castle has increased to somewhat around 437. The full list is available in his office, if anybody want to check it," announced Dumbledore.

He continued, "The forbidden forest if forbidden for everyone and so is the Hogsmeade Village for anyone below third year."

Dumbledore then took a long breath and sighed, "I must also painfully inform you all that this year the inter house Quidditch Cup will not take place."

Silence hung in the hall at the announcement and Harry wondered if it was related to the big event Ludo Bagman was talking during the world cup before Crouch shut him up.

Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy — but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts —"

At the same moment, thunder rumbled and the door of the great hall was banged open.

In walked a gruff looking man with a limp and one his legs made a loud thud with each step he took.

The face of the man was peculiar and numerous scars charred his face. Though the most interesting feature were his eyes. One of the eyes was fake eye which moved continuously and at moment it turned completely and was pointed towards the man's head.

'Alastor Moody,' muttered Harry in his mind. One of the finest aurors in the recent years. Harry had learned about the man during his studies in the past month, regarding the events of the war and held a lot of respect for the retired auror.

Also called 'Mad eye Moody' was one of those wizards, whom the death eaters feared. He was not the one to fire stunners and disarming spells when the death eaters threw unforgivables like candies.

He was brutal, skilled and most importantly ready to kill the scums of the society.

The man limped towards Dumbledore, shook hands and exchanged few words and then took his seat on empty chair at the right side of Dumbledore's chair.

"May I introduce to our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Said Dumbledore, his voice booming in the silence. "Professor Moody."

Only three people clapped at the introduction, Dumbledore himself, Hagrid and Harry.

Moody paid no heed and busied himself in food.

Harry caught Ron muttering about his father helping Moody in something.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

The announcement was followed by intense excitement among students and Dumbledore then went into few details about the history of the tournament and how it was cancelled due to high casualties.

Though the excitement somewhat died down when Dumbledore announced that only students of age, meaning those who have crossed 17 years would be allowed to participate in the tournament and he would personally set up an age line.

Fred Weasley and George Weasley were the most heartbroken ones and they even declared that anyhow they will find a method to put their names for the selection of the champions.

The feast soon ended and the students started to return back to their dormitory.

Harry stood up and walked towards the head table, when he found Professor McGonagall approaching towards the Gryffindor table.

"Professor," Harry greeted the transfiguration mistress.

"Mr. Potter, I was coming to find you." Replied McGonagall.

"What is it Professor?" Questioned Harry.

She replied, "Headmaster wants to speak to you in his office."

Harry raised his eyebrows. Though he expected Dumbledore to talk to him, he felt it was too soon.

He asked, "About?"

"That I am not aware of Mr. Potter." Said McGonagall.

"Ver well Professor. But as you are my head of the house, I would ask you to remain during the meeting." Added Harry.

Harry had no idea if McGonagall was among those directly involved with Dumbledore. He thought that her behaviour and reaction during certain moments would help Harry to sense her true nature.

McGonagall fell into silence at the odd request. As far as she was concerned, Harry had always shared a special relation with Dumbledore but nonetheless she nodded in agreement.

"You also seemed to talk to me about something." Said McGonagall.

Harry answered, "That can wait till our meeting Professor."

McGonagall nodded, "Very well. Follow me."

With this Harry Potter and Minerva McGonagall started their walk towards the headmaster's office which would soon be turning into an arena for battle of words.